Assyria

Assyria is a light-weight eurogame from Ystari that offers players a fun and engaging experience. While it's not as complex as some of their other titles like Caylus or Olympos, it's certainly more involved than Yspahan or Mykerinos. I found the game's simple rules to be easy to grasp, but the strategic choices you face are far from straightforward. You're constantly balancing short-term point gains with long-term investments, making for some really interesting decisions.

The game revolves around area control, resource management, and building a strong economy. I enjoyed the way the game uses a bidding system to determine player order, adding a layer of strategic complexity to the resource acquisition phase. The game's "flood" mechanism also provides a fun and dynamic element, offering both challenges and opportunities.

While Assyria may not be the most complex game out there, it's a well-designed, engaging experience that's perfect for those looking for a more strategic and rewarding game than Catan. The game's theme of ancient Mesopotamia is well-integrated into the gameplay, and the production quality is high. However, it's important to note that some reviewers have pointed out inconsistencies in the rulebook, which might make it a bit more challenging for new players to grasp the game's intricacies.

I'd recommend Assyria to any avid board gamer who enjoys area control games with a touch of strategy and resource management. It's a great addition to any collection, but it might not be suitable for complete beginners.